Every year, millions of Brits go on cruise holidays, sailing between sightseeing hotspots on some of the largest passenger ships in the world. For some, they are the ultimate break from reality, a self-contained society with everything you could want to forget the world back home.
But there are serious questions about the environmental impact of cruise ships, and the ruinous effects thousands of day-trippers can have on the communities which cruise passengers pour into and out of. And, after the hantavirus outbreak on one cruise ship which left three dead and dozens infected, they seem the worst place to be if illness sets in.
Are cruise holidays really worth it? Cruise ship veteran Mary Stuart-Miller and sceptic Rhiannon Picton-James give their perspectives.
Nobody would deny that the situation on MV Hondius sounds horrendous. But taking a cruise right now is no more reckless than stepping onto a bus, train or plane – and arguably a great deal more enjoyable. Cruises are still, by far, the best way to see the world.
Should the unthinkable happen, cruise ships are designed with protocols and onboard systems to detect, isolate and contain infectious disease outbreaks. In fact, they’d put the average GP surgery to shame. Most major cruise ships use hospital-grade HEPA filtration systems, with cabin and public-space air exchanged up to 12 times an hour.
I love cruise holidays. After taking upwards of 60 cruises spanning Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and Scandinavia, I have spent decades embracing new cultures, countries, cuisines and experiences, and seeing more of the world than any conventional holiday could provide. And I am not alone: 2.4 million British and Irish cruise passengers take to the water each year.
I have climbed the rigging on magnificent tall ships, taken the wheel, watched dolphins swim beneath the bowsprit, visited Caribbean islands, cruised the pristine coastlines of Greece and Turkey, and enjoyed the company of just a couple of hundred others on board.
Socialising around a relaxed, open-air bar, it was easy to make friends. An instant bond with a South African couple with whom we spent many happy hours while sailing with my three kids resulted in several reunions in Italy, Greece and the UK. Meeting a French couple during another cruise led to an invitation to their marriage later the same week, conducted on deck by the captain in the bay of Sicily. I was delighted to take on the role of unofficial photographer, join the wedding celebrations, and stay in touch once back home.
The great thing about cruising is that you are essentially packing in several holidays’ worth of fun in one go. Some of the best meals I have ever eaten in my life were on board, rivalling any restaurant back on land. I not only ate well, but took part in a cookery school to replicate the fare, under the auspices of a top chef. Then I joined the ship’s art classes, spending hours dabbling with paint and enjoying the spoils of store cupboards full of fabulous, freely available art materials. I felt like a small child in a sweetshop. In no time, I was taking instruction from the international crew in fruit carving and napkin folding – skills which I occasionally roll out today!
On board a river cruise ship, the vessel meandered down the Danube and the Rhine so gently that guests had the option to cycle along the towpath using the complimentary onboard bicycles. I hopped off to visit Amsterdam, Cologne, Vienna and Bratislava, then explored exquisite timbered towns and atmospheric Christmas markets, before returning to a stylish, comfortable, floating home.
Although small-ship cruises are my preference, I have also enjoyed the party-oriented, energetic vibe on board bigger ships: eating well, living it up and making the most of the 24/7 activities and entertainment.
After criticism over cruise ships’ environmental impact, the industry is changing. Cleaner fuels, sophisticated wastewater treatment systems, reduced single-use plastics, expanded recycling programmes and improved energy efficiency are just some of the initiatives underway.
I was only sorry to miss an onboard marine biologist’s beach clean-up project in St Kitts, where local volunteers and passengers removed around 1,700 pounds of rubbish and plastic debris from the shoreline. By sheer coincidence, our paths crossed again years later at a wedding in Rome – perhaps a reminder of how cruising can make the world feel a surprisingly small place.
Perhaps the biggest plus of all is that cruises open the way to multi-destination travel, yet you never pack or unpack more than once. There is a cruise and a cruise ship for everyone, whatever floats your boat.
One thing is for sure: nothing will stop me from cruising. I’d rather eat my sunhat. Though I might sanitise it, first.